Unit II: The Philosophical Foundations of North East Asia

Assignment: My Religion





Assignment: Confucius in Everyday Life

Link to seppuku scene in movie, "Mishima": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZ93q3VockY



Tao of Pooh

Link: http://splashman.phoenix.wikispaces.net/The+Pooh+Way+and+Bisy+Backson


Buddhist Sects
Link: http://splashman.phoenix.wikispaces.net/James%2C+William


Interview on Confuciansim, Taoism, and Buddhism
Interviewed by Guangzai Zhao, a 11th grade at an international school at Shanghai.

1. Do you currently practice/believe in any of the following religions/philosophies?
Confucianism Taoism Buddhism Any Other Religion/Beleifs (Shintoism, Christianity, etc.)

I am an atheist.

2. Do you have a family member or a friend who practice Confucianism, Taoism, or Buddhism?

My father's family is Buddhist but neither of my parents have religion.

3. Does your society (in China) have social conventions / practices that originate from Confuciansm, Taoism, or Buddhism?

I can see some Confucianism stuff in China, like being really polite to old people. I don't really know a lot of Taoism and I don't really see much of its concepts in China. Many people believe in and practice Buddhism though.

4. Do you personally practice / follow any of the above social conventions / practices?

I follow some basic rules like obeying older people because we generally are forced to, but I don't practice any religious things.
5. What are your opinions toward government, rulers, and living in accordance with nature? (You can be general)

I think governement should give ppl more freedom. I just feel like it is oppressing people to much. Like Facebook and Youtube, I don't think the government has the right to take them away from people. I never thought about living in nature because I'm fine where I'm living in right now.
6. Is there any particular religion / philosohpy that you strongly disapprove of? Why do you disapprove that particular belief?

I don't have a particular religion that I hate.
7. Is there any particular religion / philosophy that you strongly approve of? Why do you support that particular belief?
I like concepts and ideas of Buddhism and I think it will be the religion that I'd choose if I had to pick one. I like how they don't force you to believe them like some others do and I like their concepts of reviving, etc.
8. If you were to choose one of the following, which one would you choose and why?
a. Living under a maintained, controlled society under government and laws.
b. Living in accordance with nature and trying not to interfere with it.

I would choose <A> because I don't have any problems with current system and I don't feel like I have to change my way of living right now.

9. Do you view yourself as a person influenced by any particular religion / philosophies (especially Confucianism, Taoism, or Buddhism)?

Definitely Confucianism (polite to elders, etc.) and Buddhism (from my father's family) influenced me a little but not Taoism.